Yorkie's death: Self-defense or unnecessary?

The death of a small dog who had gotten loose has stirred strong emotions and even led to Olathe police involvement.

Donna Limbaugh, 72, says a man cruelly stomped her six-pound Yorkie to death. But Olathe police and the man say the dog was the attacker.

Limbaugh describes Precious as the "cutest animal anyone could ever have." Last week, she was sitting on the bench in front of her home reading the newspaper. Precious took off and managed to yank her leash from Limbaugh's hand.

Carl Henrichson says he was walking along a nearby trail with his own dog, an older lab that is battling cancer. Henrichson says he waved the dog away with his foot and accidentally stepped on Precious.

But Limbaugh believes he intentionally kicked her 6-year-old dog.

"He gave a swift kick and she went up about four feet into the air. She came down out into the street about five feet," Limbaugh said. "I say he stood on her."

Police determined that Henrichson stepped on the dog.

Precious received immediate emergency treatment but died from a crushed lung, Limbaugh said.

For Henrichson's part, he says this would not have occurred if Limbaugh had kept her dog under control.

"It's an extremely unfortunate incident, but if Ms. Limbaugh had had her dog on a leash, her dog wouldn't have attacked my dog, wouldn't have attempted to bite my dog, and frankly, you and I wouldn't even be talking today," he said.

Limbaugh maintains his reaction was excessive for a six-pound dog running toward him and his dog. She said her dog may have barked but was no threat.

Olathe police issued Limbaugh three citations for not having a license, not having her dog on a leash and nuisance violation.